U.S. Marine Cpl. Reece Lodder, a combat correspondent with 3rd
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 22-year-old native of Everson,
Wash., pauses during a security halt while patrolling here with the
81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, Feb. 8,
2012. After deploying to Helmand province's Garmsir district in
November 2011, Lodder witnessed positive progress in Garmsir that
has largely been ignored by mainstream media. He chronicled the work
of Marines and sailors developing and advising Afghan forces taking
the lead in strengthening security in Garmsir. With improved
security, commerce flourished and successful district community
council elections were held without incident mid-April. In the
coming weeks, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines will relieve 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines
in Garmsir and complete the district's transition of lead security
responsibility from coalition to Afghan forces. Photo by
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Jones |
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GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan (5/7/2012) — Over the past seven
months, I've seen and experienced progress in Afghanistan most
Americans will never hear about from mainstream media.
Serving as a Marine combat correspondent with 3rd Battalion, 3rd
Marine Regiment in Helmand province's Garmsir district, I've been
blessed with the unique opportunity of telling the stories of our
Marines, sailors and counterparts with the Afghan National Security
Forces.
While most of my fellow Marines operated from the
same position with the same group of men, my duties as a writer and
photographer allowed me to travel throughout our 80-kilometer long
area of operations to cover all five of our infantry and
headquarters companies.
In recent years, Garmsir's green zone
— the fertile, populated area surrounding the Helmand River and
forming the shape of a snake — had been the scene of heavy fighting
between insurgents and coalition forces.
After gaining a
foothold in Garmsir in 2008, British forces were augmented by the
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The British worked in the district
for almost two years before turning over combat operations to 2nd
Bn., 8th Marines, the first of eight Marine battalions to support
Afghan forces here.
By the end of 1st Bn., 3rd Marines'
deployment in November 2011, Garmsir was a model of security among
Helmand's 14 districts. Insurgent activity was significantly |
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reduced when compared to surrounding districts. |
While the ‘Lava Dogs' of 1st Bn. 3rd Marines had worked
alongside ANSF throughout their deployment, the evolution of
security in Garmsir left my battalion with a different
mission. We stepped into a position of overwatch and looked
toward the transition of lead security responsibility in the
district from Marines to Afghan forces.
Early in the
deployment, I joined India Company to support the Afghan
National Army and Police in clearing strains of insurgent
activity in central Garmsir's buzzing Safar Bazaar. The new
year brought a helicopter-borne clearing operation in
northern Garmsir with Lima Co. and the ANA. During
subsequent months, I patrolled with Weapons Co. and the
Afghan Border Police in southern Garmsir, and Kilo Co. and
the ANP spread throughout the district.
From the
outset, I found most of the ANSF I worked with to be well
trained and capable of operating on their own, especially
the ANA — a testimony to their combat experience and the
hard work of previous Marine mentors. However, after years
of combat and logistical support from coalition forces, they
were reluctant to plan and operate alone.
As weeks
and months progressed, I watched our Marines wean the ANSF
off their dependence on us. They stepped into the periphery
and pushed Afghan forces to strengthen Garmsir's security.
They helped them understand that bolstered security would
enable commerce to develop, and governance to deepen its
roots.
Garmsir's police force grew from approximately
300 to 600 patrolmen. A second ANA battalion — 6th Kandak,
1st Brigade, 215th Corps — arrived in southern Garmsir to
augment 2/1/215 based in the north. In the eastern desert
near Khan Neshin district, the ABP expanded south to prevent
the movement of drugs and insurgent logistics into Garmsir.
Security increased around the district's bazaars and
commerce followed. Protected by ANSF vehicle checkpoints
throughout Garmsir, local citizens celebrated the Afghan New
Year in mid-March safe from the insurgent threat.
District community council elections were held April 17 in
Hazar Joft without incident. The successful elections
enabled governance historically centered around the district
center to expand into areas previously lacking
representation by the Afghan government.
Over the
last seven months, I experienced significant, historic
development built on the sacrifices of thousands of Afghan
and coalition forces. I witnessed positive progress in
Garmsir that has largely been ignored by the mainstream
media.
During this time, I captured Marines, sailors
and Afghan forces in 9,300 photographs, 62 stories and
standalone photo essays, and 16 video packages. I'm proud I
had the opportunity to share their stories with the families
of men sacrificing to make a difference and every American
supporting their efforts.
In coming weeks, 3rd Bn.,
8th Marines, will relieve 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines. The incoming
Marines will continue to assist ANSF on a journey marked by
both hardship and progress.
In months and years to
come, the Afghan forces will face their greatest challenges.
Far from home, we've sweat and bled to prepare them to the
best of our abilities. It will be up to them to stand on
their own and defend their people.
By USMC Cpl. Reece Lodder
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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